Automatic counter-actuated apparatus for taking and developing photographs

ABSTRACT

Coin-operated apparatus for photographing a person in a cubicle and developing the photograph has two cameras, a first one for taking a single large photograph and a second one for taking four small photographs, a reel of reversible paper which passes through first one camera and then the other camera, two slide projectors to hold photographic slides for photographing in two of the four small photographs and program selectors. The second camera has four separate lens assemblies and four screened-off compartments. Program selector means provides for selection of either a single large photograph or four small photographs of the person or two photographs of the person and two photographs of the slides or two photographs of the person and two blank spaces.

United States Patent Chiesa 14 1 Sept. 26, 1972 1541 AUTOMATICCOUNTER-ACTUATED 3,504,607 4/1970 Bok ..95/36 R x APPARATUS FOR TAKINGAND 3,283,685 11/1966 Cummins ..95/36 R x DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHS [72]Inventor: Luigi Chiesa, Turin, Italy [73] Assignee: Morena S.A.,Fribourg, Switzerland [22] Filed: May 21, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 145,730

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 23, 1970 Italy ..68775 A/7O[52] US. Cl. ..95/14, 95/18, 355/54 [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 17/50 [58]Field of Search ..95/14, 18, 36 R, 37; 355/54 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,541,016 2/1951 Allen ..95/14 R26,77l l/l970Schwardt et al ..355/54 1,734,780 11/1929 Simjian ..95/37 PrimaryExaminer-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRichard L. MosesAltorney-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack 5 7] ABSTRACT Coin-operated apparatusfor photographing a person in a cubicle and developing the photographhas two cameras, a first one for taking a single large photograph and asecond one for taking four small photographs, a reel of reversible paperwhich passes through first one camera and then the other camera, twoslide projectors to hold photographic slides for photographing in two ofthe four small photographs and program selectors. The second camera hasfour separate lens assemblies and four screened-off compartments.Program selector means provides for selection of either a single largephotograph or four small photographs of the person or two photographs ofthe person and two photographs of the slides or two photographs of theperson and two blank spaces.

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The present invention relates to the automatic instruments, which may beactuated by insertion of a coin or token, for taking and developingphotographs, of the type comprising a cubicle accessible to the user,and a cabinet adjacent to the cubicle and containing means for exposinga usually rectangular portion of a reversible paper, means-for lightingthe subject, means for selectively obtaining one or more photographsfrom the same portion of paper, means for developing the aforesaid paperand of issuing the developed photograph to the user.

The known instruments of the aforesaid type are of complex and unwieldlystructure and uncertain opera-- tion,'and offer a very small number ofprogrammes in respect of the kinds of photographs the user can obtain.

For the purpose of eliminating the aforesaid shortcomings, the presentinvention has as its object an apparatus of the type defined, which hasa simple and compact structure, precise and reliable operation andisarranged to provide a wide range of programmes covering the differentkinds of photographs it is possible to obtain.

Another object of the invention is that of producing an apparatus of theaforesaid type, which is arranged to provide, in selective manner,portraits of large size, photographs of small size, repeat prints orphotographs usable for official identity documents.

Another object of the invention is to produce an apparatus of theaforesaid type, which offers a high degree of automation and is equippedwith safety devices arranged to prevent damage to its elements in caseof anomalous operation.

Another object of the invention is to produce an apparatus of theaforesaid type, which operates without attention for long periods andthus requires very little maintenance work.

. The principal feature of the apparatus according to the inventionresides in the fact-that, in combination with means of performing thedeveloping operation and of issuing the photograph, it comprises aphotographic assembly made up of a reel supplying the reversible paper,two separate superposed cameras, of which one is equipped with a singleobjective apt to take a single photograph of the same size as theportion of reversible paper in question during each operating cycle, andthe other bears four separate lenses operative in four screened-offcompartments in such manner that the paper is exposed simultaneously orat-different times, obtaining a plurality of smaller photographs fromthe same, means of producing programmed images on a part of the papersquare and leaving the remaining part unexposed to take the photographof the subject,

lighting means situated in the second camera for exposing a part of thepaper square to white light, leaving the remaining part unexposed fortaking photographs of the subject, means of causing the paper to advancealong the two aforesaid photographic cameras of withdrawing the samefrom the photographic assembly and of feeding it to the developingmeans, means of severing the square of exposed paper from the rest ofthe web, means of subsequently exposing the paper to produce the borderof the photograph or photographs to be taken, and programming meanswhich are selectively applicable by means of an external coin or tokeninsertion mechanism, for selection of the operating cycles of the meansspecified as a function of the kind of photograph preselected by theuser.

Further features and advantages of the invention will emerge from thefollowing detailed description, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an automatic coin or token operatedapparatus for taking and developing photographs according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical cross-section thereof,

taken along the line Il-II of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the internal operative assemblies ofthe apparatus;

FIG. 4, analogous to FIG. 3, is another view inperspective as seen froma different angle;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned and enlarged-scale diagrammatical viewin perspective of the photographic assembly; 7

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section of the photographic assembly takenalong the line VI-Vl of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are two enlarged-scale cross-sections taken along thelines VII-VII and VIII-VIII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a rear view in perspective of the photographic assembly, and

FIGS. 10,11, 12 and 13 are four diagrammatical plan views illustratingdifierent types of photographs obtainable from the apparatus.

With referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2, 1 marks a piece of furniture enclosingthe automatic photographic apparatus according to the invention; thispiece of furniture comprises a compartment or cubicle A accessible fromthe outside through a door 2 and forming a cubicle or cabin, and acabinet B closed off by an outer door 3 and separated from the cubicle Aby means of a partition 4 equipped with an opening partitioning panel 5.The outer door 3 and the opening panel 5 co-operate with safety switches6,7 which interrupt the current fed to the internal items of equipmentwhen access is to be gained to the cabinet B.

On the outer door 3 is arranged a bowl ortray 8 from which the userdraws the photograph or photographs obtained with each functional cycleof the machine.

On the panel 5, which separates the cubicle- A from the cabinet B, aresituated a plurality of incandescent bulbs 9 capable of supplying thelighting needed to take the photographs, a'central window 10 covered bya transparent screen which is not liable to lose transparency, throughwhich the photograph of the subject is taken, a plurality of coin ortoken insertion devices 11 of which each controls one or more functionalprogrammes of the apparatus, and a sight panel 12 bearing a plurality oflight signals which may indicate the stage of progression of theoperating cycle or the functional state of the apparatus.

Within the internal space of the cabinet B is situated, as apparent fromFIGS. 3 and 4, a supporting frame comprising a bottom plate 13, aplurality of vertical uprights l4 and a top plate 15, positionedhorizontally and consisting of a variety of elements co-operating witheach other. The bottom plate carries a set of basins or tanks 16 fordevelopment, reversal and fixing of the reversible 'paper and a set ofdisplaceable elements 17 arranged for conveying the paper.

On the top plate are situated an electrical assembly 18 comprisingalmost all the electrical parts of the machine and the programmingdevices, and a photographic assembly 19 topped by a cylindrical box 20wherein is situated a supply reel for feeding the reversible paper E inthe form of a continuous web or tape.

To the photographic assembly 19, which is contained in a frame formed bydifferent elements cooperating with each other, is connected at thefront a prismatic extension 21 carrying a mirror 22 sloping at 45 and alateral window 23 surrounded by a shaped or moulded frame 24 which, inthe assembled position coincides with the window 10 of the front panel 5of the piece of furniture.

The photographic assembly 19 comprises two separate superposedphotographic cameras C, D, one of which, C, has a single objective lens25, and the other of which, D,has four separate lenses 26, operative infour separate spaces divided from each other by cruciform screens 59. Atthe rear, the two photographic cameras are closed off by sheets or panesof transparent material 27 and 28, which are blackened for the most partand bear transparent areas intended to enframe the large photograph orthe smaller ones produced on a single square of reversible paper E. Thepanes 27, 28 are situated close to opposed guides 58 along which thepaper slides. Behind the aforesaid panes are situated two incandescentbulbs 29 and 30 contained in enclosing cowlings 29a, 30a, arranged forexposure of the paper from behind to produce the aforesaid borders ofthe photographs.

The main lens assembly of the upper camera is equipped with its ownmeans of setting the diaphragm, whereas in the case of the lower lensassemblies 26 the diaphragms are actuated simultaneously by a sliding U-shaped stirrup 32 borne by a lateral plate 31 and controlled by a smallscrew-type wheel 33; this plate 31 has its two parallel branches inengagement witha plurality of lugs 34 in unit with the rotary diaphragmsof the lens assemblies (as seen in FIG. 5).

The shutters of the different lens assemblies are controlled byelectromagnets in manner known per se.

In correspondence with the upper camera C are laterally arranged twoslide projectors 35, arranged to expose a part of the square ofreversible paper, projecting on to said part two transparencies carriedby interchangeable slides 39 inserted into these projectors. As shown inFIG. 7, each of these projectors cooperates with an angled mirror 36situated within the photographic camera C and arranged to pivot around avertical spindle 37; this mirroris controlled by means of an adjustingscrew 38.

Within the lower photographic camera D there are arranged at one side(see FIGS. 5 and 8) two incandescent bulbs 60 one above the other, andcovered by opaque screens 61 turned towards the lateral lens assembliesand arranged to effect exposure to white light of a part of the squareof reversible paper which is placed in the aforesaid camera.

The advance of the web of reversible paper is operated by two feedassemblies, of which one is situated above the first photographic cameraC and the other is situated at the exit of the lower photographic cameraD. The upper feed assembly comprises two driving rollers 40 driven inthe same direction of rotation by a geared electric motor 41 arrangedexternally to the assembly, and co-operating with two thrust rollers 42situated internally.

The second feed assembly comprises two driving rollers 54 arranged onone and the same horizontal spindle 55, driven by an analogous externalgeared electric motor 56 and co-operating with a pair of idle thrustrollers 57 arranged at the inner side of the photographic camera. Incorrespondence with the area of separation between the two photographiccameras are arranged means of cutting the paper comprising a stationarycutter 43 and a displaceable cutter 44, hinged on a vertical spindle 45borne by a hanger or bracket 46. At its free extremity, the displaceableblade carries a portion provided with a slot 47 in which is engaged inthe manner of a link coupling a peg 48 borne by a crank 49 operatedthrough a long vertical spindle 50 by means of a geared motor 51. Thespindle 50 bears a cam 52 arranged to operate a miniature switch 53which stops the operation of the geared motor 51 after the cuttingoperation has been performed, and the displaceable blade is returned tothe open position to allow of subsequent feed of the paper.

Close to the second feed assembly is arranged a miniature switch 62 FIG.6 which is actuated by the paper to stop its advance: this occurs afterthe paper is grasped by the rollers 54, 57 and establishes the preciselength of the portion of paper to be exposed.

Above the first feed assembly is situated another miniature switch 63which is energized while the paper web is present: in the absence ofthis web, the miniature switch is de-energized, interrupts the operationof the apparatus and actuates an optical warning signal.

The operation of the apparatus described is the following:

When the reel of reversible paper is loaded, the operative inserts thefree extremity of the web between the rollers of the first feedassembly, which are set in rotation by the operative and carry the paperto the level of the second assembly: the cutting mechanism is thenactuated, which cuts off the portion of paper situated below itself andthe lower rollers 57,54 cause the ejection and removal of the severedportion from the lower photographic camera. The machine is thus readiedto perform the first operating cycle with the sensitized paper alreadypositioned abreast of the upper photographic camera C.

If the user intends to obtain a single large photograph (FIG. 10) andconsequently operates the corresponding coin or token reception device,the programming devices establish the following cycle ignition of therear incandescent bulb 29 to perform the exposure of the border of thesquare of paper, ignition of the light bulbs 9 to light the subject,opening of the shutter of the lens 25, actuation of the upper feedassembly to carry the paper web into a position of engagement in thelower assembly, actuation of the cutting device and actuation of thelower feed assembly which conveys the exposed paper to the developingdevices which are not illustrated.

If the user selects the programme for performing the exposure of foursmaller photographs instead (FIG. 11), the following automatic cycle isestablished ignition of the upper bordering or border-exposing bulb 29,

actuation of the upper feed assembly to carry the paper web from theupper camera C to the lower camera D, ignition of the rear bulb 30 toproduce the outlines of the four photographs, ignition of the bulbs 9,operation of the four lenses 26 at the same time or at different times,actuation of the cutting device and actuation of the lower feed assemblywhich conveys the severed square of paper to the developing devices.

If, instead, the user selects the program for taking two smallphotographs of the person in the cubicle coupled with making twophotographs of previously taken subject matter such landscapes or viewsof other local nature subjects (see FIG. 12), the following cycle isestablished:

ignition of the upper bordering or border effecting bulb 29, actuationof the two projectors 35 which expose two portions of the squarecorresponding to two of the smaller photographs, actuation of the upperfeed assembly to displace the square from the upper to the lower camera,ignition of the rear bulb 30 to expose the internal squares, ignition ofthe external bulbs 9, simultaneous or separate actuation of the twolateral lenses 26 corresponding to the two portions left unexposed,actuation of the cutting device and subsequent actuation of the lowerfeed assembly which ejects the severed square of paper.

If the user wished to obtain two small photographs flanked by blankspaces for use, for example, for issue or attachment of passports or thelike (FIG. 13), the cycle is the following:

ignition of the upper bordering bulb 29, actuation of the upper feedassembly which carries the square to the lower photographic camera D,ignition of the rear bulb 30 to produce the inner borders, ignition ofthe two lateral bulbs 60 which effect exposure to white light of twoportions of the square corresponding to two photographs, ignition of theexternal bulbs 9, simultaneous operation of two lower lens assemblies 26which expose the paper producing two identical photographs of thesubject situated abreast of the blank spaces obtained, actuation of thecutting device and then actuation of the lower feed assembly whichejects the exposed square.

In each of the aforesaid cases, the operating cycle also includes theactuation of the developing devices, which are preferably of aconventional form and have not been described, and of the devices whichconvey the developed and dried photograph to the user, into the externaltray 8.

The photographic assembly described consists of a compact unit and theinternal passages for the paper are carefully screened from the light,in such manner that the reversible paper is not damaged even in case itis left within the apparatus for a protracted period.

The principle of the invention evidently remaining unaltered, themethods of actuation and structural details may be changed considerablyfrom those described and illustrated, without thereby exceeding thescope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. An automatic, token or coin operable apparatus for taking anddeveloping photographs, said apparatus comprising a cubicle accessibleto a person using said apparatus; a cabinet adjacent to the cubicle;lighting means to illuminate the person in the cubicle; said cabinetcontaining means to store reversible photographic paper in a reel; acomposite camera assembly having means selectively operable to takeeither a single relatively large photograph of at least part of theperson in the cubicle on a single relatively large picture-forming areaof a leading end portion of the reel of paper, or a plurality ofrelatively small photographs on a plurality of spaced-apart relativelysmall picture forming areas of said portion of the paper such that atleast a first-mentioned one of the relatively small photographs takenand developed herein is of at least part of the person in the cubicle;said composite camera assembly comprising two cameras of which onecamera includes a single lens assembly and is adapted to take saidsingle relatively large photograph, and the other camera has a pluralityof separate lens assemblies; each of said separate lens assemblies ofsaid other camera being cooperable with a respective one of a pluralityof individual screened-off compartments in said other camera to producerespective relatively small photographs in said relatively small pictureforming areas; means for illuminating a border area of said portion ofthe paper around said picture forming area of said portion of the paper;detaching means for detaching said leading end portion of the paper fromthe remainder of the reel of paper; developing means for developing,reversing and fixing said portion of the paper after the taking of eachphotograph and after the illumination of the respective border area orareas of said portion of the paper; and feed means automaticallyoperable to feed said portion of the paper to the camera assembly andthence to the developing means and to deliver said portion afterdeveloping to a place where it can be removed by the person; saidapparatus having means selectively operable by the person and includingfurther means to form a photograph from at least one previously takentransparency or negative picture so that at least a second mentioned oneof said relatively small picture forming areas of said portion can beselectively used; said apparatus including means for mounting saidpreviously taken transparency in a predetermined position relative to apredetermined one of said cameras to enable producing of a photograph bysaid predetermined camera from the transparency, and means operable bythe insertion of at least one coin or token having a predetermined valuefor effecting operation of said apparatus.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said two cameras are mountedin superposed relation.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compartments andsaid-one camera are so arranged that the relatively large pictureforming area and the relatively small picture forming areas are eachrectangular.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens assemblies of saidother camera are four in number; the relatively small picture-formingareas of said portion of the paper are four in number; and saidcompartments in said other camera are four in number.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said other camera includesmeans selectively operable to cause a third-mentioned one of saidrelatively small picture forming areas to form a photograph of at leastpart of the said person, and to cause the fourth relatively smallpicture forming area to form a photograph from a second transparency ornegative picture, and

said apparatus including means mounting a second transparency ornegative picture in a second predetermined position to enable saidsecond photograph thereof to be made, such that said portion of thepaper can have two photographs, each of at least part of the personwithin the cubicle, and additionally have two photographs made from saidrespective transparencies or negative pictures.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes meansin said other camera selectively operable to cause a third-mentioned oneof said four relatively small picture forming areas to form a photographof at least part of the person in the cubicle and means to cause boththe second-mentioned relatively small area and the remaining fourthrelatively small area to be left blank.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for illuminatingsaid border area of said portion of the paper around said pictureforming area of said portion of the paper comprises two sheets each atthe rear of a respective one of the cameras, each sheet being opaque ina region corresponding to said picture forming area and each sheet beingtransparent in a region corresponding to said border area, and a lightbehind each said sheet.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said further means to form aphotograph from said at least one previously taken transparencycomprises optical projector means for illuminating said transparency andfor projecting an image of the transparency onto said second-mentionedone of said relatively small picture forming areas of said portion insaid one camera independently of said'single lens assembly and means forpositioning said portion of the paper in said one camera for formingsaid photograph from said transparency the apparatus also comprisingmeans for sequencing the taking of the photograph of the transparencywith said portion of the paper positioned in said one camera, the takingof said first-mentioned one of the relatively small photographs withsaid portion of the paper positioned in said other camera and feeding ofsaid portion of the paper from the first camera involved in the sequenceto the second camera.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein a mirrorlike reflecting meansis located within said one camera for reflecting said image of saidtransparency onto said second-mentioned one of said portion of saidpaper, said mirror-like means being located out of the path of lightfrom said single lens assembly to said portion of said paper.

1. An automatic, token or coin operable apparatus for taking anddeveloping photographs, said apparatus comprising a cubicle accessibleto a person using said apparatus; a cabinet adjacent to the cubicle;lighting means to illuminate the person in the cubicle; said cabinetcontaining means to store reversible photographic paper in a reel; acomposite camera assembly having means selectively operable to takeeither a single relatively large photograph of at least part of theperson in the cubicle on a single relatively large picture-forming areaof a leading end portion of the reel of paper, or a plurality ofrelatively small photographs on a plurality of spaced-apart relativelysmall picture forming areas of said portion of the paper such that atleast a first-mentioned one of the relatively small photographs takenand developed herein is of at least part of the person in the cubicle;said composite camera assembly comprising two cameras of which onecamera includes a single lens assembly and is adapted to take saidsingle relatively large photograph, and the other camera has a pluralityof separate lens assemblies; each of said separate lens assemblies ofsaid other camera being cooperable with a respective one of a pluralityof individual screened-off compartments in said other camera to producerespective relatively small photographs in said relatively small pictureforming areas; means for illuminating a border area of said portion ofthe paper around said picture forming area of said portion of the paper;detaching means for detaching said leading end portion of the paper fromthe remainder of the reel of paper; developing means for developing,reversing and fixing said portion of the paper after the taking of eachphotograph and after the illumination of the respective border area orareas of said portion of the paper; and feed means automaticallyoperable to feed said portion of the paper to the camera assembly andthence to the developing means and to deliver said portion afterdeveloping to a place where it can be removed by the person; saidapparatus having means selectively operable by the person and includingfurther means to form a photograph from at least one previously takentransparency or negative picture so that at least a second mentioned oneof said relatively small picture forming areas of said portion can beselectively used; said apparatus including means for mounting saidpreviously taken transparency in a predetermined position relative to apredetermined oNe of said cameras to enable producing of a photograph bysaid predetermined camera from the transparency, and means operable bythe insertion of at least one coin or token having a predetermined valuefor effecting operation of said apparatus.
 2. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said two cameras are mounted in superposed relation. 3.Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compartments and said onecamera are so arranged that the relatively large picture forming areaand the relatively small picture forming areas are each rectangular. 4.Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens assemblies of saidother camera are four in number; the relatively small picture-formingareas of said portion of the paper are four in number; and saidcompartments in said other camera are four in number.
 5. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 4 wherein said other camera includes means selectivelyoperable to cause a third-mentioned one of said relatively small pictureforming areas to form a photograph of at least part of the said person,and to cause the fourth relatively small picture forming area to form aphotograph from a second transparency or negative picture, and saidapparatus including means mounting a second transparency or negativepicture in a second predetermined position to enable said secondphotograph thereof to be made, such that said portion of the paper canhave two photographs, each of at least part of the person within thecubicle, and additionally have two photographs made from said respectivetransparencies or negative pictures.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4wherein said apparatus includes means in said other camera selectivelyoperable to cause a third-mentioned one of said four relatively smallpicture forming areas to form a photograph of at least part of theperson in the cubicle and means to cause both the second-mentionedrelatively small area and the remaining fourth relatively small area tobe left blank.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means forilluminating said border area of said portion of the paper around saidpicture forming area of said portion of the paper comprises two sheetseach at the rear of a respective one of the cameras, each sheet beingopaque in a region corresponding to said picture forming area and eachsheet being transparent in a region corresponding to said border area,and a light behind each said sheet.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein said further means to form a photograph from said at least onepreviously taken transparency comprises optical projector means forilluminating said transparency and for projecting an image of thetransparency onto said second-mentioned one of said relatively smallpicture forming areas of said portion in said one camera independentlyof said single lens assembly and means for positioning said portion ofthe paper in said one camera for forming said photograph from saidtransparency the apparatus also comprising means for sequencing thetaking of the photograph of the transparency with said portion of thepaper positioned in said one camera, the taking of said first-mentionedone of the relatively small photographs with said portion of the paperpositioned in said other camera and feeding of said portion of the paperfrom the first camera involved in the sequence to the second camera. 9.Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein a mirror-like reflecting meansis located within said one camera for reflecting said image of saidtransparency onto said second-mentioned one of said portion of saidpaper, said mirror-like means being located out of the path of lightfrom said single lens assembly to said portion of said paper.